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April 17: Anger Management

(Continuing with a look at Matthew Henry’s The Quest for Meekness and Quietness of Spirit.)

When we are exercising meekness, we are able to “calm the spirit so that the inward peace may not be disturbed by any outward provocation….Cannot we charge home upon our enemy’s camp without the wilful disordering of our own troops?”

Meekness calms our spirits. “Meekness preserves the mind from being ruffled and discomposed, and the spirit from being unhinged by the vanities and vexations of this lower world.”

This sounds like a tall order, but remember, this is not something we can produce in ourselves. It is a work of grace, given to us by the Holy Spirit. If you are prone to anger, you must diligently pray for meekness and quietness. Your family will be so happy if you do. Then it’s so important to recognize temptation when it arrives. We often realize we have “lost it” once we are too far in it to turn back. How wonderful it would be to see temptation arrive just as the milk jug is being knocked over on the table. Ah ha! Yes! This is a temptation to react and get mad. At that moment, you must quickly acknowledge that God is in control of all things, even spilled milk, and you must be thankful and kind, not harsh and frustrated.

The lovely thing is that once the milk is cleaned up, you won’t have to apologize to anyone. You won’t feel all churned up. You’ll be amazed at the Spirit’s work in your life and you will rejoice in gratitude.

But don’t foolishly think you have now arrived. A fresh test is on the way. After all, we do live in this world where things do not go according to plan. So expect another one. And another. Pray in the morning that you will pass each test, and thank God each and every time that you do. Of course, if you stumble, remember you have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous, and He loves to forgive.

Remember what Jesus said: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).